Sir Bobby Robson who was born in County Durham and watched the Magpies from the terraces, returned to his native north-east in 1999 in what was to be his last major role in football.
Sir Robert "Bobby" William Robson CBE (18 February 1933 – 31 July 2009)[1] was an English association footballer and manager. He played almost 600 matches and scored over 100 goals. He also played for the England national team. He scored four goals in 20 games for them.
Robson managed Fulham F.C. and Ipswich Town F.C.. He then managed the England national football team for eight years, from 1982 to 1990. He led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990. He left England to manage other football teams in Europe. These included clubs from Holland, Portugal and Spain. Robson came back to England to manage Newcastle United F.C. in 1999.
Bobby Robson was given several honours for his work in football. In 1990, after his eight years as England manager, he was awarded a CBE. In 2002, he was knighted. Both awards were for services to football.[40][41] That year he was awarded the freedom of Newcastle upon Tyne. He also received the UEFA President's Award for 'services to football'. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003.[42] In 2005, Robson was made an Honorary Freeman of Newcastle. Robson said, in his autobiography, it was "the proudest moment of my life".[43]
Robson also won the 1992 Football Writers' Association Tribute Award for an "outstanding contribution to the national game".[44] In 2001 he was awarded the British Sports Writers' Association Pat Besford Trophy for Outstanding Achievement.[41] In 2005, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Sports Coach UK Awards.[45] He also received the Eircom International Personality of the Year in 2006.[40] On 9 December 2007, Robson received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.[46]
In May 2008 was the 30th anniversary celebrations of Ipswich Town's 1978 FA Cup win. During this, Robson was granted the Freedom of Ipswich by the Lady Mayor.[47] On 8 December 2008, he was given the Freedom of the City of Durham.[48]